Categories: Beauty

Review of ACT Anti-Cavity Mouthwash

There are times when we need a good mouthwash around the house, but I honestly don’t like the flavor of most brands, so many are minty and just don’t appeal to me. Since I am a big fan of cinnamon, I decided to give ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse, cinnamon flavor, a try.

This product comes in a 18 ounce plastic container, and it has a deep red color. The front of the bottle states that this is a #1 dentist recommended product. In fact, ACT claims to:

* Restore minerals to soft spots
* Strengthen enamel to prevent tooth decay
* Kill bad breath germs

The dentist.net website claims that regular use will reduce root cavities in adults by up to 71% more than brushing with a fluoride toothpaste alone. That claim is reduced to 40% in children. It also says that ACT will reverse “white spots” on teeth caused by braces.

How To Use
First, this product is only for adults and children 6 years and up. You can use it once a day following your tooth brushing routine. After removing the cap, there is a small cup with a “fill line”. You simply squeeze the bottle until the liquid rinse tops out the mini cup measuring device, then pour it out into another cup. I use those disposable Dixie cups that we keep in our bathroom.

The premeasured cup/dispenser will only allow 10 ml to come out at a time, so I am getting the exact dose that I need every time without having to measure or guess about how much to use. You are then advised to swish the rinse in your mouth for 1 minute and then spit it out. Do not swallow the rinse!

Ingredients
ACTIVE:Sodium Fluoride 0.05% (0.02% w/v fluoride ion – anticavity)

INACTIVE: Benzyl alcohol, calcium disodium EDTA, cetylpyridinium chloride, D&C; red no. 33, disodium phosphate, FD&C; yellow no. 5, flavor, poloxamer 407, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, sodium benzoate, sodium phosphate, sodium saccharin, sorbitol, water.

Warnings to Heed
* Keep out of reach of children
* If more than used for rinsing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away

Thoughts
Although I like the cinnamon taste better than those minty mouthwashes, it seems a little bit watered down to me. I am used to brushing my teeth with cinnamon flavored toothpastes, and their flavor is much stronger. Still I like the fact that there is no burning with this rinse. It leaves my mouth with a cool fresh taste that lingers – which is a good reminder to follow the directions for not eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes afterward.

Since this rinse does contain fluoride and benzyl alcohol, it’s my opinion that I would not let any child under 10 use this product. In fact, the container advises that adults should instruct children under 12 years old how to use this so they won’t swallow any of it. Although thesays that ACT Anticavity Fluoride Rinse can be used on kids as young as 6, personally I would not allow it.

This rinse leaves my mouth with a nice fresh feeling, while providing the power of anticavity protection at the same time. It’s two products in one, and that is pretty nice! This product was purchased at Fred Meyer for around $5.00, and ACT dental products can be found in any toothpaste aisle.